Heat exchanger

ABSTRACT

A heat exchanger is provided. The heat exchanger includes a heat dissipation module, an inner heat-dissipating device and an outer heat-dissipating device. The heat dissipation module includes a body, a plurality of first inlets, a plurality of first outlets, a plurality of second inlets, a plurality of second outlets, a plurality of first flow paths and a plurality of second flow paths, wherein the first flow paths are staggered with the second flow paths, and the first inlets and the first outlets are communicated with the first flow paths, the second inlets and the second outlets are communicated with the second flow paths, the body includes a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, the first inlets and the first outlets are formed on the first surface, and the second inlets and the second outlets are formed on the second surface.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application claims priority of Taiwan Patent Application No. 100101693, filed on Jan. 18, 2011, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a heat exchanger, and in particular relates to an air cooling heat exchanger.

2. Description of the Related Art

A conventional heat exchanger includes a box, a heat dissipation module, an inner cycling blower and an outer cycling blower. The heat dissipation module, the inner cycling blower and the outer cycling blower are disposed in the box. Conventionally, openings of air flow paths are formed on a top surface and bottom surface of the heat dissipation module. The inner cycling blower and the outer cycling blower are respectively disposed on the top surface and bottom surface, and the height of the box is increased. Additionally, when the thickness of the heat exchanger is reduced, the openings of air flow paths are also narrowed, and the openings of air flow paths are thus hindered by dust. Furthermore, the dimension of the inner cycling blower and the outer cycling blower are restricted by the thickness of the heat exchanger, and flow rates of the inner cycling blower and the outer cycling blower are therefore limited.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A heat exchanger is provided. The heat exchanger includes a heat dissipation module, a first heat-dissipating device and a second heat-dissipating device. The heat dissipation module includes a body, a plurality of first inlets, a plurality of first outlets, a plurality of second inlets, a plurality of second outlets, a plurality of first flow paths and a plurality of second flow paths, wherein the first flow paths are staggered with the second flow paths, and the first inlets and the first outlets are communicated with the first flow paths, the second inlets and the second outlets are communicated with the second flow paths, the body comprises a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, the first inlets and the first outlets are formed on the first surface, and the second inlets and the second outlets are formed on the second surface. A first flow is guided by the first heat-dissipating device to enter the first flow paths through the first inlets and leave the first flow paths through the first outlets. A second flow is guided by the second heat-dissipating device to enter the second flow paths through the second inlets and leave the second flow paths through the second outlets.

In the embodiment of the invention, the first inlets and the first outlets are formed on the first surface, and the second inlets and the second outlets are formed on the second surface. Therefore, when the thickness of the heat dissipation module is reduced, the diameters of the first inlets, the first outlets, the second inlets and the second outlets are not decreased, and flow rates through the first inlets, the first outlets, the second inlets and the second outlets are not reduced.

In one embodiment, the first heat-dissipating device corresponds to the first inlets, and the second heat-dissipating device corresponds to the second inlets. Therefore, the first flow path and the second flow path in the heat exchanger are substantially U-shaped, the path lengths thereof are increased, and the heat exchanging efficiency is improved. Additionally, the first heat-dissipating device is close to the third surface (top surface), and the second heat-dissipating device is close to the fourth surface (bottom surface) and adapted to guide hot air (first flow) and cold air (second flow) into the heat exchanger.

The first heat-dissipating device and the second heat-dissipating device can be axial fans, blowers or other types of fans. In the embodiment of the invention, the first heat-dissipating device and the second heat-dissipating device are respectively disposed on the first surface and the second surface such that the height of the heat exchanger is reduced.

In one embodiment, the heat dissipation module, the first heat-dissipating device and the second heat-dissipating device are disposed in a cabinet. The cabinet has a accommodating space. The accommodating space has a supporting surface. In one embodiment, the included angle θ between the first surface and the supporting surface is smaller than 90 degrees, and the included angle θ between the second surface and the supporting surface is smaller than 90 degrees. The heat dissipation module can be obliquely disposed to increase the length and volume of the first flow path and the second flow path and to improve the heat exchanging efficiency.

A detailed description is given in the following embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention can be more fully understood by reading the subsequent detailed description and examples with references made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a heat exchanger of an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 1B shows the heat exchanger of the embodiment of the invention disposed in a system;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a heat dissipation module of the embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2B is another perspective view of the heat dissipation module of the embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 2C is a sectional view along direction 2C-2C′ of FIG. 2A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following description is of the best-contemplated mode of carrying out the invention. This description is made for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention and should not be taken in a limiting sense. The scope of the invention is best determined by reference to the appended claims.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a heat exchanger 100 of an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 1B shows the heat exchanger 100 disposed in a system 1. As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the heat exchanger 100 of the embodiment of the invention comprises a heat dissipation module 110, an inner heat-dissipating device 120, an outer heat-dissipating device 130 and a cabinet 140. With reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the heat dissipation module 110 comprises a body 119, a plurality of first inlets 115, a plurality of first outlets 116, a plurality of second inlets 117, a plurality of second outlets 118, a plurality of first flow paths and a plurality of second flow paths. FIG. 2C is a sectional view along direction 2C-2C′ of FIG. 2A, wherein the first flow paths 1101 are staggered with the second flow paths 1102 to improve heat dissipation efficiency. With reference to FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C, the first inlets 115 and the first outlets 116 are communicated with the first flow paths 1101. The second inlets 117 and the second outlets 118 are communicated with the second flow paths 1102.

With reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the body 119 is cubic and comprises a first surface (front surface) 111, a second surface (back surface) 112, a third surface (top surface) 113 and a fourth surface (bottom surface) 114. The first surface 111 is parallel and opposite to the second surface 112. The first inlets 115 and the first outlets 116 are formed on the first surface 111. The second inlets 117 and the second outlets 118 are formed on the second surface 112. The third surface 113 is parallel and opposite to the fourth surface 114. The first surface 111 and the second surface 112 are perpendicular to the third surface 113 and the fourth surface 114. In the above embodiment, the first inlets 115 and the first outlets 116 are formed on the first surface 111, and the second inlets 117 and the second outlets 118 are formed on the second surface 112. Therefore, when the thickness of the heat dissipation module 110 is reduced, the diameters of the first inlets 115, the first outlets 116, the second inlets 117 and the second outlets 118 are not decreased, and flow rates through the first inlets 115, the first outlets 116, the second inlets 117 and the second outlets 118 are not reduced.

With reference to FIGS. 1B, 2A and 2B, a first flow is generated by the inner heat-dissipating device 120, enters the first flow paths 1101 through the first inlets 115, and leaves the first flow paths 1101 through the first outlets 116. A second flow is impelled by the outer heat-dissipating device 130, entering the second flow paths 1102 through the second inlets 117, and leaves the second flow paths 1102 through the second outlets 118. The inner heat-dissipating device 120 corresponds to the first inlets 115 to guide the first flow into the first flow path 1101. The outer heat-dissipating device 130 corresponds to the second inlets 117 to guide the second flow into the second flow path 1102. The inner heat-dissipating device 120 is close to the third surface 113, and the outer heat-dissipating device 130 is close to the fourth surface 114.

In the embodiment, the inner heat-dissipating device 120 corresponds to the first inlets 115, and the outer heat-dissipating device 130 corresponds to the second inlets 117. Therefore, the first flow path 1101 and the second flow path 1102 in the heat exchanger are substantially U-shaped, the path lengths thereof are increased, and the heat exchanging efficiency is improved. Additionally, the inner heat-dissipating device 120 is close to the third surface (top surface) 113, and the outer heat-dissipating device 130 is close to the fourth surface (bottom surface) 114 and adapted to guide hot air (first flow) and cold air (second flow) into the heat exchanger.

The inner heat-dissipating device 120 and the outer heat-dissipating device 130 can be axial fans, blowers or other types of fans. In the embodiment of the invention, the inner heat-dissipating device 120 and the outer heat-dissipating device 130 are respectively disposed on the first surface 111 and the second surface 112 such that the height of the heat exchanger 100 is reduced.

The cabinet 140 has an accommodating space 141. The accommodating space 141 has a supporting surface 142. In one embodiment, the included angle θ between the first surface 111 and the supporting surface 142 is smaller than 90 degrees, and the included angle θ′ between the second surface 112 and the supporting surface 142 is smaller than 90 degrees. The heat dissipation module 100 can be obliquely disposed to increase the length and volume of the first flow path 1101 and the second flow path 1102 and improve the heat exchanging efficiency.

With reference to FIG. 1B, heat generated by an equipment 10 in the system 1 is dissipated into the heat dissipation module 110 by the first flow and out of the heat exchanger by the second flow. Therefore, temperature in the system 1 is lowered.

Use of ordinal terms such as “first”, “second”, “third”, etc., in the claims to modify a claim element does not by itself connote any priority, precedence, or order of one claim element over another or the temporal order in which acts of a method are performed, but are used merely as labels to distinguish one claim element having a certain name from another element having a same name (but for use of the ordinal term) to distinguish the claim elements.

While the invention has been described by way of example and in terms of the preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. To the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements (as would be apparent to those skilled in the art). Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements. 

1. A heat exchanger comprising: a heat dissipation module comprising a body, a plurality of first inlets, a plurality of first outlets, a plurality of second inlets, a plurality of second outlets, a plurality of first flow paths and a plurality of second flow paths, wherein the first flow paths are staggered with the second flow paths, and the first inlets and the first outlets are communicated with the first flow paths, the second inlets and the second outlets are communicated with the second flow paths; a first heat-dissipating device guiding a first flow to enter the first flow paths through the first inlets and leave the first flow paths through the first outlets; and a second heat-dissipating device guiding a second flow to enter the second flow paths through the second inlets and leave the second flow paths through the second outlets.
 2. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first heat-dissipating device corresponds to the first inlets to guide the first flow into the first flow path.
 3. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second heat-dissipating device corresponds to the second inlets to guide the second flow into the second flow path.
 4. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first heat-dissipating device and the second heat-dissipating device are axial fans or blowers.
 5. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first flow path and the second flow path are U-shaped.
 6. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body comprises a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, the first inlets and the first outlets are formed on the first surface, and the second inlets and the second outlets are formed on the second surface.
 7. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 6, wherein the body is cubic and comprises a third surface and a fourth surface, wherein the third surface is parallel and opposite to the fourth surface, and the first and second surfaces are perpendicular to the third and fourth surfaces.
 8. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 7, wherein the first heat-dissipating device is disposed close to the third surface, and the second heat-dissipating device is disposed close to the fourth surface.
 9. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 6, further comprising a cabinet with an accommodating space having a supporting surface, and the heat dissipation module, the first heat-dissipating device and the second heat-dissipating device are disposed in the cabinet.
 10. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 9, wherein a first included angle between the first surface and the supporting surface is smaller than 90 degrees, and a second included angle between the second surface and the supporting surface is smaller than 90 degrees
 11. A heat exchanger comprising: a cabinet having an accommodating space, wherein the accommodating space has a supporting surface; a heat dissipation module disposed in the accommodating space, wherein the heat dissipation module comprises a body, a plurality of first inlets, a plurality of first outlets, a plurality of second inlets, a plurality of second outlets, a plurality of first flow paths and a plurality of second flow paths, wherein the first inlets and the first outlets are communicated with the first flow paths, the second inlets and the second outlets are communicated with the second flow paths, the body comprises a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, the first inlets are formed on the first surface, the second inlets are formed on the second surface, a first included angle between the first surface and the supporting surface is smaller than 90 degrees, and a second included angle between the second surface and the supporting surface is smaller than 90 degrees; an inner heat-dissipating device disposed in the accommodating space for guiding a first flow to enter the first flow paths through the first inlets and leave the first flow paths through the first outlets; and an outer heat-dissipating device disposed in the accommodating space for guiding a second flow to enter the second flow paths through the second inlets and leave the second flow paths through the second outlets.
 12. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 11, wherein the inner heat-dissipating device corresponds to the first inlets to guide the first flow into the first flow path.
 13. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 11, wherein the outer heat-dissipating device corresponds to the second inlets to guide the second flow into the second flow path.
 14. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 11, wherein the inner heat-dissipating device and the outer heat-dissipating device are axial fans or blowers.
 15. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first flow path and the second flow path are U-shaped.
 16. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 11, wherein the body is cubic and comprises a third surface and a fourth surface, wherein the third surface is parallel and opposite to the fourth surface, and the first and second surfaces are perpendicular to the third and fourth surfaces.
 17. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 16, wherein the inner heat-dissipating device is close to the third surface, and the outer heat-dissipating device is close to the fourth surface.
 18. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first flow paths are staggered with the second flow paths.
 19. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first outlets are formed on the first surface and the second outlets are formed on the second surface. 